Andrew Stoner MP

Deputy Premier Minister for Trade and Investment Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services

Katrina Hodgkinson MP

Minister for Primary Industries Minister for Small Business

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 20 November 2013

ADDITIONAL IN-DROUGHT SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR NORTH WEST NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner and Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson have today announced a package of emergency in-drought support measures for primary producers and communities in North West NSW. The NSW Government has allocated $7.6 million to the emergency support measures for the Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett local government areas, which includes:  up to $20,000 per producer in the form of a Transport Assistance Reimbursement, back-dated to 1 July 2013;  up to $30,000 per producer for Emergency Water Infrastructure Grants, which the Commonwealth Government has indicated it will match;  additional funding for the Rural Support Worker Program and a drought incident co-ordinator;  the waiving of Western Lands Lease payments;  the waiving of Wild Dog Destruction Board rates; and  Transport Subsidies for Animal Welfare, focused on stock going to sale or slaughter where there is significant risk to animal welfare, which will remain while drought conditions persist. Mr Stoner said the package of assistance package, which follows drought preparedness and in-drought support measures announced on 30 October 2013, is recognition of the plight many landholders in North West NSW currently face. “Landholders and communities in North West NSW are currently dealing with extraordinarily difficult circumstances,” Mr Stoner said. “While the NSW Government is moving towards preparing farmers for drought rather than providing in-drought crisis support, there is currently a critical need to provide immediate assistance,” he said. Ms Hodgkinson said the package brings NSW into line with assistance provided in drought-stricken areas of Queensland and is in addition the assistance measures announced on 30 October 2013, which include:  a new $20 million Farm Innovation Fund, to provide primary producers with loans at concessional interest rates for in-drought and drought preparedness measures;  $4.4 million to fund phase three of the popular Cap and Pipe the Bores program; …/2

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-2the deferral of Special Conservation Scheme and Natural Disaster loans by the Rural Assistance Authority on a case-by-case basis; and deferral of Livestock Health and Pest Authority rates for producers in the Brewarrina, Walgett and Bourke local government areas.

Ms Hodgkinson said many of the producers in North West NSW have prepared to the best extent possible. “However, this scenario clearly illustrates that no matter how well producers may prepare for drought, it is impossible to completely drought-proof a property,” Ms Hodgkinson said. “Primary production is critical to these communities and the NSW Government recognises that helping farmers will assist to preserve the social and economic fabric of the community at large. “I have been acutely aware of the situation facing primary producers and rural communities in North West NSW and have worked as quickly as possible to develop a package of preparedness and in-drought support measures.” Regional Assistance Advisory Committee Chair David Palmer said the committee will continue to monitor seasonal conditions across NSW and will provide feedback and advice to the NSW Government as required. For more information, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593.